93 XR650L - 18,000 miles - $2300 - Buy/Not Buy?

[Shinyboat]

I ride an '88XR250R and need a bigger plated bike. Is this a bike worth looking at? How long do the 650's last?

It has...

-18,000 miles

-new timing chain & guides, counter shaft, seals and everything that goes with a tear down (the counter shaft broke so it was torn down)

-chain & sprokets

-tires

-brakes

-bars

-oversized tank

-supertrap

-carb mods & k&n filter

-Al Baker shock

-XR's only seat

-new brakes

-new D606 tires

Quality...

-no smoke

-strong motor (500 miles on rebuild)

-great suspension

-visually looks good but not great

-battery is older

It needs...

-front hub for speedo cable

-front turn signals

Bikes around 97/98 completely stock are selling for around $3000 with 5,000 miles. I am in college so paying around $2000 is a lot easier than $3k to $4k for me.

[Beyond The Pale]

They last a long time, but it depends on how it has been treated.

The question is do you want this bike? Do you need to go on the road or do you really want a dirt bike? The XR600 is basically the same bike, but it weighs 45 pounds less. That 45 pounds buys the magic button, but costs handling and the extra weight is high on the bike.. You should also be able to find a 600 for less than $2000.

[Shinyboat]

I've wanted a dual sport for years because I don't get to ride off road as much as I'd like. Having a dual sport would let me jump on the bike alot and take afternoon joy rides out on the street and dirt roads.

I am more concerned about the longevity.

I am 6'4" and 200 lbs.

[ThunderChicken]

That's funny.

I wonder if you're buying my old XRL. I had a 1993 XRL when I was in college in Washington. Sold it to a guy in Mt. Vernon and the last I heard it had been sold a couple of times since and worked it's way down around the Seattle/Tacoma area.

I loved mine. I rode it all through college because I couldn't afford to have a truck, dirt bike, and street bike at the same time. So I sold my 1983 Toyota FJ40 Landcruiser and bought the XRL. I rode it from Whidbey Island to Estes Park Colorado and back one summer.

Man, what great memories. I'm getting old. The only downer of just having the bike was going to CWU in Ellensburg made it hard to get around in the winter. I met my wife there and her family thought I was a loser because she was always giving me rides back to the Westside.

It's funny how things come full circle. After I buy a new mountain bike this spring, I'm going to start looking for a used XRL.

If I came across the one you are looking at I would start at $19 and be happy paying $23. Anything in the middle would be gravy.

[rebelventurer]

Same opinion try to get for 18-1900, but if you really want the bike 23 is not too bad the front hub will cost you though!

[deelong4002]

I paid $2500 for a 2000 Xr600r thats street legal. That just seems high to me for a 14 year old bike but what do i know, im just saying what i paid for mine. Obviously it doesnt matter what i think, cause if you like the bike you should def. buy it.

[captb]

If your set on spending around 2K I would offer 2K for it, if you can spend a little more I would look for a low milage unmolested bike, not to mention the XR600R made street legal is much nicer, I've had all the big Honda Thumpers, XR650L, 3 XR600Rs, NX650, XR650R, untill they build a 750R I will keep my current 650R.

[trob]

i lke the 600 also....i wouldnt pay that price for the one you're looking at

[ThunderChicken]

I don't know about you guys but it is getting hard to get "deals" and "steals" on on the used market on anything that starts with a "X" and a "R."

Try picking up a 1983 XR 500 for less than $800...

I think he should be happy getting that bike for 1900 to 2200 and I still think that if the seller is sticking to his price, I would still pay $2300.

But that's based on what I've seen in California.

People are buying and keeping any of the XR/XLs.

[jetfuel]

I don't know about you guys but it is getting hard to get "deals" and "steals" on on the used market on anything that starts with a "X" and a "R."

Try picking up a 1983 XR 500 for less than $800...

I think he should be happy getting that bike for 1900 to 2200 and I still think that if the seller is sticking to his price, I would still pay $2300.

But that's based on what I've seen in California.

People are buying and keeping any of the XR/XLs.

I agree with you, here in the north east if you can even find one in the $2000-$2500 range your doing good and half of those are usually a little rough.

[focallength]

I say go for it, but know what needs to be fixed and how much its going to cost, before you buy. If you can, take it to a mechanic and have him give it a once over. If the owner wont let you do this run away fast, this means he trying to hide something. An independent mechanic will give you a good honest opinion. In the long run would you rather pay maybe $100 bucks to find out the bike is going to die on you in less than a thousand miles, or spend $2300 and find out when the bike dies.

Either way its your choice but you may be able to find a better deal, I got my 96 xr600 with cali plates and all kinds of goodies (about $1500 in after market parts) for $3k.

[motometal]

If I sold my XRL, i'm not sure what the price would be, but I get asked all the time if I want to sell it...there is a real market for used bikes in this price range, and the fact that new ones are the same other than plastic color helps too.

[adam574]

you said this bike has a rebuild and before buying this bike i would have the owner produce some receipts. look at the date on them and see how long ago it was. if he can't produce the receipts i wouldn't buy it. alot of people just say fresh rebuild to sell there stuff quicker and there is no real way to tell unless you are going to tear the motor apart. as far as the price goes. it is easy to tell people to just spend more money but i really think if you save up and get 3000 you will be able to get a way better machine. probably 2001 and newer with next to no use i would bet. this bike is really old and has been through the ringer it seems. sometimes if you try to save money and get a bike that needs work by the time you are done you could have bought something alot newer that didn't need any work.

[Shinyboat]

Thanks guys. I decided to just fork over the money for a nicer bike. Well I still have to actually do it!

[Denn10]

GOOD MOVE keep your eyes open i looked for a few weeks and found a 03 650l with 9K miles for $2600 i think i got a great deal as i saw 00 models going for more. I found this on ebay kinda close but no problem was about 225 miles away WAY worth the gas and drive to go pick it up.

[rebelventurer]

Thanks guys. I decided to just fork over the money for a nicer bike. Well I still have to actually do it!

So tell us about the nicer bike!!

[ThunderChicken]

GOOD MOVE keep your eyes open i looked for a few weeks and found a 03 650l with 9K miles for $2600 i think i got a great deal as i saw 00 models going for more. I found this on ebay kinda close but no problem was about 225 miles away WAY worth the gas and drive to go pick it up.

That's a steal. That is a hell of a deal. Was it because the person holding the auction was unwilling to ship it and it had to be local pickup only?

People in California seem to know that they have the only truely legit dual sport XR... especially in a time when the DMV is getting more and more aggressive about pulling license plates...

I have a feeling it's only a matter of time before street legal motorcycles in CA. will have to get smoged on a regular basis.

[Denn10]

NO thats just all it went for i had researched ALOT before chasing this one it was sitting at 2500 forever. It was located in a pretty remote area (Bishop) in the easters sierra's so i think the pickup was alot for most was about 225 miles for me but i didnt care about the $100 in gas to pick up. EVERYTHING i have seen for sale since i got it a week ago is WAY more 01 650l for 3200 with same miles IM SUPER STOKED for a steal with my first dual sport too!!

[TheCure]

I don't know about you guys but it is getting hard to get "deals" and "steals" on on the used market on anything that starts with a "X" and a "R."

Try picking up a 1983 XR 500 for less than $800...

I think he should be happy getting that bike for 1900 to 2200 and I still think that if the seller is sticking to his price, I would still pay $2300.

But that's based on what I've seen in California.

People are buying and keeping any of the XR/XLs.

That's just Californication.

Right now, I'm looking at a 97 and 98 XR600s in the paper, haven't seen them in person, both for less than $1500 bones.

That bike the author is looking at isn't worth anything over $2000.

[Motosprtman]

I ride an '88XR250R and need a bigger plated bike. Is this a bike worth looking at? How long do the 650's last?

It has...

-18,000 miles

-new timing chain & guides, counter shaft, seals and everything that goes with a tear down (the counter shaft broke so it was torn down)

-chain & sprokets

-tires

-brakes

-bars

-oversized tank

-supertrap

-carb mods & k&n filter

-Al Baker shock

-XR's only seat

-new brakes

-new D606 tires

Quality...

-no smoke

-strong motor (500 miles on rebuild)

-great suspension

-visually looks good but not great

-battery is older

It needs...

-front hub for speedo cable

-front turn signals

Bikes around 97/98 completely stock are selling for around $3000 with 5,000 miles. I am in college so paying around $2000 is a lot easier than $3k to $4k for me.

Lets think about this and with an example of an older bike.

I had a brand new (back then) 1973 Honda XL250. always maintained it meticulousy, fresh oil etc. Joined the Navy and thye bike passed hands thorugh the family, brothers, cousins etc, when we (the bike and I met again)it was 1979, it was in poor shape, I cleaned it up, serviced it the best I knew how and it ran great, no smoke etc, the swingarm bushings were shot and so were the shocks. I installed a set of Koni's, bushings and a new chain and points and plug, cleaned the air filter and changed the oil. The bike had 22,000 miles showing and had never been apart (top end etc).

Fast forward to this 650L with 18K on it. I say it is hammered. Materials, machining tolerances etc are far better now than 35 years ago, thus given the proper care the mighty 650L shold run a long - LONG time, 50K and easily more! with normal use and maintenance. Abuse, naturally shortens the life of any motor. I don't think I need to tell how how this 650L lived and was cared for. Save your $. Use it as a down payment on a new one or wait until a better one comes along.